In The Hockey News draft preview, a scout said of Rangers first round pick Brady Skjei that watching him skate is like “poetry.”

According to Michael Russo in the Star Tribune, skating is a family trait.

One of Skjei’s uncles is Barry Karn, one of the top power-skating instructors in the country. Karn has worked for five NHL teams, including the past six years for Calgary, and is a consultant for the Wild, having worked primarily with its prospects.

“Ever since Brady was a little kid and we were just pushing him around on a chair just trying to make sure he was having fun at the rink, skating has been his strong suit. Obviously, it’s just progressed from there. He’s worked really hard at his skating.”

On Skjei, Gordie Clark said to the Rangers website, “He is the same kind of athlete as McDonagh and Kreider. There is nothing fancy about him but he does have one of the hardest shots out of any player in this group but is known for his PK and 5 on 5 play.”